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Freminet sat in his room, alone. only accompanied by Pers, who was sitting beside him on his bed. Pers was always there for Freminet when he was at his lowest times, including now. the small penguin made a few noises of mechanic whirring and clicking while lightly nudging Freminet’s side, trying to offer even the slightest bit of comfort for the crying boy. Freminet looked down at his little companion, appreciating its effort, but then felt guilty for making Pers have to witness what he was about to do to himself, so he decided to reach for the switch and make Pers go into sleep mode.
Freminet was alone again, alone with his thoughts, alone with his tears, and alone with a razor in his hand. he had come across this cruel comfort around five months ago, and now it’s become a daily need. no one questioned the fact that he always wore long sleeves, even his wet suit covered his arms. the weather in Fontain wasn’t too hot, nor too cold. many people wore multiple layers even in Fontain’s summers, so it raised no suspicion towards him.
Freminet didn’t even realize when he started cutting into his wrist until he felt a drop of blood run down his arm and fall onto the hardwood floor. his breath got caught in his throat when he realized how deep one of the cuts were and winced in pain as his head was brought back into reality.
shit shit shit shit shit!
he cursed to himself as the blood just kept running out of his wounds. he wasn’t usually afraid of cutting deeper than intended, but he really didn’t want it to happen now!
——————
Lyney was just about to head into the kitchen to grab a midnight snack when he heard muffled sobs coming from somewhere within the house. at first he wasn’t worried because he played it off as just the old building creaking, but when he heard it a second time, he immediately abandoned the snack mission and started to head towards where the sound originated from, Freminet’s room. as he approached the end of the hallway and stopped at his little brothers room, he knocked on the door.
“Fremi…? are you okay…?” Lyney said, putting a hand on the door handle, ready to open it.
a few moments passed and there was still no answer.
Freminet was frozen in place. he didn’t know what to do. either stay still and hope that Lyney would think he’s sleeping, or get up to clean himself up, but then Lyney would know he was awake at an ungodly hour and that would raise more suspicion.
Lyney, on the other side of the door grew more worried with a lack of answer. he knew Freminet was awake, but why wasn’t he answering?
“Freminet, I’m coming in…”
Lyney cracked the door open and Freminet panicked. he quickly shoved his sleeve over his still bleeding arm, and tried to get back under the covers before Lyney saw him.
that failed miserably.
“Freminet, what are you doing…?” Lyney asked as he looked at his little brother who was frozen in place, halfway under his duvet. Lyney walked over to him, and upon further inspection, he noticed blood on Freminet’s sleeve. Lyney’s eyes widened at the sight.
“Fremi! are you okay, what happened to your arm?!” Lyney asked worriedly, as he reached for his little brothers arm. before he could even touch it, Freminet pulled his arm away swiftly. Lyney arched a brow at the action.
“Freminet, if you’re hurt, then you need to let me see it.” Lyney said, trying to grab Freminet’s arm again. the smaller boy retracted his arm again away from his big brother.
“I-it’s nothing! just some…red marker ink…yeah, I was drawing out some plans for a new mechanism and the marker broke!” Freminet stuttered through his lies, and Lyney obviously wasn’t buying it.
“then why did I hear you crying earlier?” Lyney remarked.
“…it was…my favourite shirt…?” Freminet tried to smile through the pain he was trying to hide so badly.
Lyney sighed. “okay…”
Freminet let out a breath of relief, glad that he wouldn’t be pried at any longer.
that was until Lyney suddenly snatched Freminet’s arm and rolled up the sleeve.
the room was silent.
but it was deafening.
Lyney stared in horror at Freminet’s arm, fresh gashes and cuts along with other bumpy scars that littered his little brothers wrist and forearm. Lyney’s heart sank when he realized what they were from. without another thought, Lyney got up and searched for something to stop some of the bleeding, he found a clean oil rag and tore it in half, then tied the two pieces together, and wrapped it around Freminet’s arm securely. then he sat on the bed beside Freminet, who was clearly on the verge of a breakdown. they sat there in silence for a while before Lyney finally spoke.
“I…don’t want to pry, but- this is sort of a serious matter and…please, please talk to me whenever you’re feeling like this..? even if it’s the middle of the night, I’ll always be there for you, Fremi.”
all Freminet could do was nod. he couldn’t trust himself to speak because he was afraid his voice would betray him. Freminet was honestly surprised with Lyney’s reaction. he was expecting something more…angry? or…some kind of outburst or wild questions as to why?
Freminet started to cry, and Lyney didn’t say anything, he just opened his arms for a hug if Freminet wanted to — and he did. without a second thought, Freminet hugged his brother and sobbed. all this time he tired to convince himself that he didn’t want help, he didn’t want his siblings to know, especially not Lyney. now he realizes, he really did want help. especially from Lyney. he just wanted his brother to comfort him.